B2 1441+26

Lore & Background

B2 1441+26 was first discovered by astronomers in October 1983 from the B2 catalogue. It is categorized as a Fanaroff-Riley Class Type 1 low luminosity radio galaxy. The galaxy is hosted by a nearly face-on spiral galaxy, although some studies suggest the host may be an elliptical galaxy instead. Studies also classify it as a weak radio galaxy (WRG) with an ordinary galactic disk visible in optical images. It has an inner structure or a spiral-patterned bar feature. Two companions have been found east and northeast of the galaxy's nucleus. The galaxy's extended emission-line region is unresolved.

The galaxy contains a double radio source, resolved into two separate components. The radio sources have a steep radio spectrum. It has two asymmetric radio lobes, with the eastern lobe having twice the luminosity and three times the polarization of the western lobe. The lobes also have a different magnetic field direction, being oriented parallel towards the axis of the source but also in an almost perpendicular direction. Towards the inner region of the lobes, there is a steepening of the radio spectrum, although the low brightness meant the tracing of steepening along the lobes' length could only be conducted halfway. A radio core is embedded inside the eastern lobe.

Reader's Guide

B2 1441+26 is significant as a Fanaroff-Riley Class Type 1 low luminosity radio galaxy, providing an example of a radio galaxy hosted by a spiral galaxy, though the host type is disputed. Its double radio source with asymmetric lobes—where the eastern lobe is twice as luminous and three times more polarized than the western lobe—offers insights into the physics of radio jets and magnetic field configurations. The steepening of the radio spectrum toward the inner lobes, though only partially traceable due to low brightness, contributes to understanding energy loss mechanisms in radio sources. The presence of a radio core embedded in the eastern lobe and two companion galaxies adds to its contextual interest. As a weak radio galaxy with an ordinary galactic disk visible in optical images, it challenges assumptions about radio galaxy hosts and highlights the diversity of such systems.